The Austrian Climate and Energy Fund has increased the budget of its grant scheme for large solar thermal plants and is now offering EUR 45 million in 2021 and 2022 for conducting feasibility studies, putting up new systems as well as monitoring them. 

Europe holds top spot for SHIP incentives
by Bärbel Epp

Spain has recently launched an investment grant scheme focused on industrial solar heat, joining an already long list of European countries – including Austria, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands – that have created similar programmes according to a survey carried out by IEA SHC Task 64.

Energy Community aims for 0.01  % to 3 % solar share in heating sector
by Frank Stier

Vienna-based Energy Community’s launch of a Heating and Cooling Network in September 2020 was a clear indication that it wants to move beyond its current focus on renewable electricity. The network sees bright prospects for SDH in the medium term.

New SDH factsheet database goes online

The IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme has just launched a database containing a substantial number of fact sheets about solar district heating technologies, best practices and markets. The 29 documents were written by the most experienced SDH researchers and practitioners from China and Europe.

Winners named in Helsinki Energy Challenge 

An expert panel has now picked four winning ideas from the 252 submitted for the Helsinki Energy Challenge, which gave stakeholders in the energy market a chance to put forward their solutions for carbon-neutral district heating in Finland’s capital by 2035.

Some good news from COVID-plagued Brazil
by Bärbel Epp

Brazil’s solar thermal market continued to grow in 2020 despite the pandemic taking a heavy toll on the country. The newly installed glazed and unglazed collector area increased by 7.2 %, to 992 MWth. A cut in interest rates spurred demand in the second half of 2020, offsetting lower sales in the first six months of the year.

IKEA to invest EUR 4 billion in clean energy
by Frank Stier

By 2030, furniture retail giant Inter IKEA Group intends to minimise its carbon footprint. All products will then be manufactured using only renewable energies for power, transport, heating and air conditioning. Several award-winning solar heat plants at selected locations show what IKEA’s sustainable strategy in heating and cooling may look like in practice.